High School Lacrosse
REGULAR SEASON
APRIL 24, 2007
NOTES: Great teams, great games, great rivalry
By NATHAN CHAMBERS
BeyondTheDerby.com
An entertaining rivalry is brewing between the Lexington Catholic and Collegiate high school boys’ lacrosse teams.
Less than two weeks before LexCath played in the Kentucky Lacrosse Association Division 1 final last season, Collegiate pushed the Knights far into overtime – five extra periods in all – and lost 9-8.
The teams met again on Saturday, and Collegiate senior Will Cary scored the game-tying goal just as the horn sounded at the end of regulation. LexCath senior Breandan Draper scored quickly in overtime for a 16-15 win.
“It might not have the name recognition of a Trinity vs. St. Xavier matchup, but the fans definitely get their money’s worth,” LexCath coach Terry Justice said.
The Knights (4-2) had a three-goal lead after each of the first two quarters and were ahead 12-9 early in the fourth. But the Titans (4-2) then scored three straight goals to tie it and answered each of LexCath’s next three goals to force overtime.
"I was extremely proud that our boys didn't get down after Will Cary's big shot,” Justice said. “We know Collegiate has very talented players and a great coach. (Collegiate) coach (Tom) Windham and I both know that these are two evenly matched teams. Both teams showed their character and heart."
Cary had five goals and three assists and also was credited with 12 ground balls. Sophomore Carson Pfeifer had four goals and an assist for Collegiate, senior Linkon Altman had three goals and two assists, and senior Michael Imburgia had three goals and one assist. Freshman goalie Clayton Brown made 19 saves in the absence of starter Zach Duck.
Draper had five goals and an assist for LexCath. Senior Joe Woomer had three goals and an assist, and senior Adam Woomer, senior Will Craycraft, and junior Kevin Melody each scored twice. Junior goalie Sam Holt made 12 saves.
Ballard girls fit to be tied
The Ballard girls have played five Division 1 games this season and have ties to show for two of them. The latest was a 10-10 deadlock against Oldham County last Tuesday.
Ballard led 5-0, but Oldham County roared back with seven goals to knot it at halftime. The teams then exchanged goals throughout the second half.
“That's two games in a row we did not play like we are capable of playing,” said Ballard co-coach Dane Brown, whose team tied Collegiate on March 27.
Oldham County coach Greg Dillon, whose team used four goals from Tori O'Grady in the comeback, was much more pleased.
"We are noticing great improvement in our girls at this time," Dillon said. "Each athlete is really grasping the concept of the game. We've worked very hard on our individual and team skills, and now it's starting to payoff. As a coach, it's great to see the fight in the girls. They never give up."
Oldham County goalie Lauren Esterle stopped 16 shots.
Top scorers
Tates Creek senior Tanner Bond rocketed to the top of the KLA scoring leaders recently. He had 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points through the end of last week. He ranks first in both assists and points.
Collegiate senior Michael Imburgia had 32 points, including a state-best 26 goals. His teammate, senior Will Cary, had 26 points, and Trinity senior Sean Medley had 22 points.
Kentucky Country Day freshman Michelle Worthington still led the girls with 23 points, including a state-best 17 assists. Manual senior Samantha Canary was the top goal scorer with 13.
The scoring leaders are determined according to information that is available at kylax.org and team Web sites and that has been submitted to BeyondTheDerby.com.
(Editor’s note: Coaches and authorized team representatives are strongly encouraged to submit scores, stats, news items and story ideas to Nathan Chambers. E-mail to nchambers@beyondthederby.com.)